Ultimate Bucket List of Animal Interactions in Harties, RSA

The opportunity to interact with animals of the wild can be a deep, soul-enriching experience. Many of the animals have been rescued as babies or youngsters, orphaned or abandoned by human action. The interaction will ONLY occur if the animal allows it. In all instances, as a mere human, one can only feel immense honour and privilege to be allowed up close and personal with these majestic animals.

Walk with Lions

Ukutula Lion Lodge, Brits, is a lion research facility. Veterinarians from around the world regularly visit the facility where the white lion genome was first identified. Feline AIDS and Tuberculosis in lions is extensively researched here and a global DNA database is kept to closely monitor bloodlines. Recently, a cryogenic storage facility was implemented to preserve DNA of threatened African species such as the elephant, rhino, lion and cheetah.

Cubs born at the lodge are hand-reared from 3 weeks old, allowing research veterinarians to work closely with the animals as they develop. Enclosures are large and spacious, animals appear happy and loving toward their handlers.

Visitors may play with lion cubs in the nursery area and a ‘Walk with Lions’ if offered where guests may join the older, 15-month adolescent lions for a walk in the wild. The lions roam freely, rather as large, rambunctious dogs would cavort on a walk through their neighbourhood. They wander into the near distance and come tumbling over themselves to re-join the group. They gallop ahead a way, then wait patiently for their human ‘pride’ to catch up. A thrilling experience to be treated as one of ‘them…’

Stroke a Rare King Cheetah and make him Purr

The Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Centre at De Wildt has bred more than 800 cheetah cubs thus far, bringing the fastest mammal on earth back from the brink of extinction. At the centre’s inception in 1971 when the Pretoria Zoo was invited to use the farm to expand their captive breeding program, there were only an estimated 700 cheetah remaining in the world. Today, an estimated 1400 cheetah remain so the care and breeding of the species remain critical. The centre has subsequently incorporated captive breeding programs for other endangered species including Wild dog, Brown hyena, Suni, Duiker, Cape vultures and Riverine rabbits which are bred on the farm.

The Ann Van Dyk Cheetah Centre is committed to educating people about these timid felines, visiting schools with chosen cheetah ‘Ambassadors’ to allow children to pet the large cats which meow and purr much like domestic cats. The centre was the first to breed the rare King Cheetah. Visitors may enter the cheetah enclosure under strict supervision and touch and stroke the large cat until he purrs with pure cat pleasure. Priceless!

Feed, Walk and Ride an Elephant

The Elephant Sanctuary, Hartbeespoort, cares for five large, African elephants. Amarula, the oldest male of 45 years old has little interaction with people, having arrived later in his life after living in various zoo facilities. The remaining elephants arrived as orphans and are comfortable with various degrees of human interaction. The younger males (14 and 15 years old) are of adolescent temperament and enjoy being hand-fed. Visitors put handfuls of pellets directly into the large, sucking trunks which the elephant then pop into their mouths.

The older females Khumba (the 26 year old Matriarch) and Mosadi (the larger 25/26 year old) offer the most extensive interactions, allowing their handlers to gently introduce guests to their enormous bulks. Guests are invited, one or two at a time, to touch the elephant, feeling the thick skin of their flank, velvety softness behind the ears and firm cushion beneath their immense feet. Later, guests may walk, trunk in hand with an elephant. Khumba is also the ‘cupid’ of the group and has a very special way of helping a guy propose…(See more about Elephant Proposal)

Taking a ride on the elephant is an additional option offered.

Lunch with a Celebrity (Animal)

The UK soap drama ‘Wild at Heart’ ran for several seasons and was filmed locally at Glen Afric Country Lodge. Owned by South Africa’s first game capturer and renowned animal handler, John Brooker, Glen Afric is home to familiar silver-screen faces: Leon Shuster’s favourite lion Hoby (deceased in 2014) grew up here; Investec Banks famous Zebra, Jack, mixes happily with people; Bailey, the three legged Cheetah is now retired and relaxes easily in his open enclosure; Selati, the leopard and her unlikely best friend Tommy (a golden retriever) made global headlines…

Brooker was one of the first to produce the ideal baby elephant feed (a mixture of rice and baby formula) and successfully raised some of South Africa’s very first elephant orphans. Three (her original crate was simply labelled ‘3’) has matured into a loving mother and has an 8-year-old daughter Hannah. When rangers at Kruger National Park rescued a baby elephant swept from her mother in torrential rains, they brought the calf to Glen Afric. Three wrapped the little tyke in her trunk and has cared for Marty as her own ever since.

Guests may now join Three, Hannah and Marty as they freely roam the farm, grazing as they wish, moving as they want. The elephants are under the protective watch of their own handlers and (if they are in the mood!) will easily allow guests to approach, stroke their velvety ears, pet their firm bodies, feed them a tasty bunch of wild mint…and if you’re really lucky, she will take you in her trunk for the most soul-healing hug a person could ever get!

White Lions in the Backyard

Chameleon Village houses the largest undercover market of African Crafts in Africa, a variety of speciality market stalls and numerous restaurants. The property has recently been extended to include the Chameleon Lion Park too. Large, grassed enclosures house a collection of adult white lions and an adult pair of rare white Bengal Tigers. Interestingly, a young child in a group was quickly spotted through the fencing by an adolescent lioness and she actively stalked him as a potential prey!

In the enclosure with smaller white lion cubs, the siblings were relaxed and playful, allowing even a smaller child the opportunity to interact with these large ‘kittens.’

Monkey Business

The Bush Babies Monkey Sanctuary is one of just eight free release primate sanctuaries in the world. Exotic monkeys find their way into homes worldwide. While very young, they make cute and cuddly pets akin to children. However, as they approach sexual maturity at 4 years or so, behaviour becomes dangerously jealous. Bush Babies strives to re-introduce donated and rescued primates into natural familial groups in a large (7ha) enclosed area. Visitors are guided through the enclosure, enjoying the antics of these happy-go-lucky animals as they go about their business.

Certain animals, having spent much time in their human settings, are very familiar with the benefits of befriending a human! These animals eagerly join the tour groups, inquisitively going through pockets for treats, helping themselves to water bottles, smartphones or jewellery if they can get it.

Sarah, the only spider monkey in the sanctuary, remains eager for human touch and will quickly find a special person to lavish her attention on.

A morning or afternoon spent in the open enclosure of the Monkey Sanctuary is 100% guaranteed to leave one refreshed and inspired in the heart.

All animal interactions are done under strict supervision and will only proceed if the animal is receptive to it. On occasion, if an animal is seen to be ‘in a mood’, interactions are cancelled. These animals, although accustomed to human touch, remain wild animals and should always be respected accordingly.